Yellow-footed Gull

Gelbfußmöwe (Larus livens )

The Gelbfußmöwe (Larus livens ) is a bird of the family of gulls ( Laridae ) and belongs to the genus Larus.

Features

Until the 1960s, the Gelbfußmöwe because of their similarity and close relationship as a subspecies of the Western Gull (Larus occidentalis) was performed. Unlike most of the larger gulls is the Gelbfußmöwe, 53 to 58 cm tall, fully grown after three years and not until after four. From the second year you will find a black band on the tail front and back and wings are slate-colored feathered to black - so she sees an adult bird already extremely similar. Legs and feet are up for the first winter still pink, but then yellow. Adult birds have a white head and a thick, yellow beak.

Occurrence

Mainly the Gelbfußmöwe occurs in California on the Gulf of California in northwest Mexico and the Salton Sea. During the breeding season, the populations of the Salton Sea migrate to the Gulf of California, while the resident their lives remain there long. Elsewhere in the United States or Mexico, the bird is extremely rare. There are about 60,000 Gelbfußmöwen, and the stock is stable.

Nutrition

They feed mainly on fish and invertebrates. However, they also steal other seabirds their chicks or eggs.

Reproduction

It is used either alone or bred in nest colonies.